Learn about the Bhagavad-Gita with Jarrod Whitaker, PhD

“Strive constantly to serve the welfare of the world; by devotion to selfless work one attains the supreme goal of life. Do your work with the welfare of others always in mind.”

For centuries, the Bhagavad-Gita has been the most renowned piece of literature in Indian culture. This epic poem tells the story of the warrior-prince Arjuna as he faces a life-or-death moral dilemma. As he prepares to battle his own kinsmen and teachers, Arjuna begins to question the purpose of warfare. Through the guidance of god Krishna, Arjuna begins to understand that the battle he faces is not only physical but spiritual as well. Various forms of yoga as well as the concept of dharma are addressed in this classic text.

If you wish to read the book prior to class (not required), Jarrod recommends the Barbara Stoler Miller translation.

Jarrod L. Whitaker is an Associate Professor in the Department of Religion at Wake Forest University, where he teaches courses relating to Asian Religions, especially Hinduism and Buddhism, and also theory and method courses on religion, ritual, and gender. He holds a M.A. with First Class Honors in Religious Studies from The University of Canterbury, New Zealand (1998), and a Ph.D. in Asian Cultures and Languages from The University of Texas at Austin (2005).